Dublin's Luas transport system is a very successful light-rail model for Edinburgh to follow, according to Scotland's minister for transport Tavish Scott.
Mr Scott is in Dublin on a two-day visit to meet transport agencies and to see how the Luas is operating in advance of the construction of a similar tramline in the Scottish capital.
After meeting the chief executive of the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), Frank Allen, Mr Scott described the Luas as an "exemplar for us to follow", with two million passengers a year and operating at a surplus financially.
A major investment is under way in Scottish rail transport in the wake of devolution, including the construction of its first tramline at a cost of £375 million (€548.9 million).
It will run from Edinburgh's port area of Leith right across the city centre to the airport.
Work starts next year after legislation was passed in June. Tenders are being sought for basic infrastructure, including tracks and trains, and the line is expected to go into operation in 2011.
Mr Scott, a member of the Scottish Liberal Democrats who represents the Shetland Islands, will today meet Department of Transport general secretary Julie O'Neill and Iarnród Éireann management to discuss Irish rail development plans.
Scottish rail plans also include the re-opening by 2010 of the Edinburgh train line to the Scottish borders, which has been closed since the 1960s. A rail line between Glasgow city and airport is scheduled for completion in 2009 and a rail link between Edinburgh city and its airport is expected in 2011.
Mr Scott said the RPA was "keen to show us the integration between Luas, bus services and mainline rail".
